Core--Laboratory

该实验室核心将提供高质量的实验室技术，以支持STI TM CRC申请中提出的所有四个项目，包括：沙眼衣原体、阴道毛滴虫、好氧和厌氧细菌和支原体的生物培养；细菌和阴道绦虫的药敏试验；阴道乳杆菌的实时PCR定量分析沙眼衣原体基因分型；沙眼衣原体、淋病奈瑟菌、生殖支原体核酸扩增检测；上皮细胞培养。此外，实验室核心将提供一个中央标本处理和分发资源，以协调向核心实验室和个别研究实验室分发标本，并协调向合作机构运送和接收标本。计算机数据库将用于跟踪标本分布和残余标本、培养生物和PCR产品的存储位置。最后，实验室核心将进一步发展变性梯度凝胶电泳技术，作为阴道生态系统研究的工具，包括分析该方法的解释价值，提高分析通量，开发计算机化系统来管理该方法产生的复杂数据，并将该技术应用于将在几个CRC项目中进行的研究过程中获得的连续阴道拭子标本。

This laboratory core will provide high quality laboratory technology in support of all four projects proposed in this STI TM CRC application including: organism culture for Chlamydia trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis, aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and mycoplasmas; antibiotic susceptibility testing of bacteria and T. vaginalis; real time PCR quantification of T. vaginalis; genotyping of C. trachomatis; nucleic acid amplification assys for C. trachomatis, Neiserria gonorrhoeae and Mycoplasma genitalium; and epithelial cell cultures. Additionally the laboratory core will provide a central specimen processing and distribution resource that will coordinate distribution of specimens to the core laboratory and to the individual research laboratories and will coordinate shipping and receiving specimens to and from collaborating institutions. Computer data bases will be used to track specimen distribution and storage locations of remnant specimens, cultured organisms and PCR products. Finally the lab core will further development of denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis technology as a tool for the study of the vaginal ecosystem including analysis of the explanatory values of the approach, improving assay throughput, development of computerized systems to manage the complex data produced by this method and application of the technique to sequential vaginal swab specimens that will be obtained in the course of studies that will be carried out in several of the CRC projects. All of these activites are essential for meeting the objectives of the Gulf South STI TM CRC as stated in the Overview section of this proposal.